Nov 30, 20233 min read

I've got JOY!

What’s up Mama?!

Happy November 30th! Yep no typo and yep we’re celebrating! We officially have 11 months of 2023 under our belt! #winning

This month may be ending but guess what…another month is about to begin. 🙌🏾

This season has been full for me! Fall, has been full. I went from being pregnant to not pregnant. (I miscarried.)

This loss was tough. Jeremy and I have been grateful to be surrounded by our loved ones while grieving our loss.

Then, earlier this month I received a call that a dear friend transitioned. We became friends shortly after meeting in middle school. So that’s been tough.

In addition to the holidays being here, I’m also thinking of my late grandmother who transitioned almost 2 years ago on Christmas Day.

Mama, grief is real. I remember as a kid hearing the saying, “If you haven’t had any rain in your life, just wait awhile.”

Yep that’s true too because when it rains it pours.

But….

Right when I wanted to sit in a slump and be angry and pitiful, God showed up!

News flash: He never left! 🙌🏾

While scrolling Facebook one day, I came across a post from a clinician (shout out to @wellblackwoman) that spoke on grief from a personal experience of their own. The post read: “Grief and joy can coexist.” I hearted the post, and moved on but it’s true too! They can coexist!

So, I’ve told you about my grief, now here’s the joy:

A couple of Sundays ago, I received a voice message from one of the ministers at church. I was already at church because I was scheduled to serve in the kids ministry. The voice message I received was an update on the flow of service and to notify me that they would be playing my testimony during church service. She ended the voice note with “I can’t wait!”

I closed my phone, placed it in my back pocket, and my first thought was….”Wow.”

So, a little more background information, this testimonial video was recorded months ago. I didn’t even think the testimonial would be played! The church had already moved on to another sermon series. I thought to myself my time has passed, oh well!

BUT, as the day progressed on that Sunday, different church family members walked up to me, mentioning the testimonial that played in church. I had not even heard it yet, but Mama let me tell you! The people did! And they made sure your girl knew it!

I received comments like, “Thank you for sharing your story.” or “Whitney, I never knew your story. Thank you for sharing it! It hit home!”

Mama, look at God! 🙌🏾

Even while in grief…here comes JOY!

Here’s the testimonial! Check it out!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cz7IctJuN2T/

Mama we reached nations with this one!🙌🏾

If you asked me one word to sum up this season, I’d say: THANKFUL